Horsing Around

Since First Daughter came home from college, we have spent several mornings at the beautiful Volo Farm in Westford, Massachusetts. My girl started riding at 8 years old, and when Volo was created a number of years back, she followed her instructor there. Since she won't be around except for short visits for the next 2 years, we plan to spend quite a bit of time here this summer.

On Friday, she was going to ride one of these guys.

It wasn't the big man, Levi. She walked on by him.

She was after this guy, Tanks-A-Lot, the Haflinger Pony. My daughter rode him before they came to Volo, when he hadn't had much training, and was full of energy. He has done very well in Pony Jumpers in recent years. He does love to jump!

Here they are, headed in to go to work.

A good brushing before the lesson.

Tiny is getting ready for the lesson also. He's not twice as tall as Tank, but almost!  My girl rode him for awhile after her favorite Paint was sold away from the barn.

I didn't get any good pictures of the lesson (camera issue, more about that another time). But I did visit with some old friends who are still here. In the barn, I found Bob.

And Charlie was there, too.

Outside I found Shanti. Isn't she beautiful? Way back when she first came to the barn, someone told me she was purchased for one dollar, because the seller didn't like her eye color. She is a very smart pony.

A lot of the big horses were away at a show, and I don't actually know this guy. He insisted on posing every time I walked by him, so I finally obliged and took his picture.

Finally, at the top of the hill, I found old Chug-A-Bug. She was old ten years ago when my daughter rode her, and she must be ancient by now. She is still going strong, and looking beautiful.

Volo Farm has been a wonderful place for my daughter to grow up. She has known many good people and horses here, and learned a lot of life lessons. She has learned to work hard, how to take care of  and respect other creatures, and most importantly, how to grow strong friendships. Could you really ask for any more?